About Us
We are a growing early childhood education group, currently operating 10 centres with 6 more joining through acquisition. With a commitment to excellence in early learning and workplace culture, we’re seeking an experienced People & Culture Lead to establish and lead our people function during this exciting growth phase.

Flexible Working
This role offers flexibility and can be structured as part-time (3 to 4 days) or full-time (5 days) depending on the candidate’s preferences and experience. We’re open to tailoring the role for the right person.

The Opportunity
As the inaugural People & Culture Lead, you’ll play both a strategic and hands-on role in shaping our people strategy, HR systems, workforce planning, and group-wide culture. You’ll lead foundational HR initiatives while supporting both centre and support office teams to build a high-performing, engaged, and compliant workforce.

Our support office is based in Liverpool, Sydney, and regular connection with team members will take place there. There may also be occasional travel to our centres across Sydney to support leaders and foster team engagement.

Key Responsibilities

HR Strategy & Frameworks

Build and implement group-wide HR frameworks, policies and systems from the ground up

Lead compliance initiatives in line with the National Employment Standards and Children’s Services Award

Develop internal procedures for recruitment, onboarding, contracts, and performance management

Provide strategic HR input into acquisition integration planning

Employee Relations & Compliance

Act as the lead on employee relations and industrial relations matters, with a strong understanding of the ECEC sector

Advise on Award interpretation and performance/disciplinary procedures

Manage workforce planning and contracts for permanent, part-time, and casual employees

Design and embed a legally compliant and practical workforce management framework

HRIS & Operational Enablement

Lead the implementation and ongoing management of Employment Hero across the group

Ensure employment data integrity, process efficiency, and meaningful reporting

Partner with centre and support office leaders to embed HRIS tools into day-to-day practice

Culture & EVP Development

Drive culture activation initiatives across the group through values-based leadership, internal comms, and recognition

Support the development of a compelling Employee Value Proposition (EVP)

Guide leaders to implement engagement strategies and foster inclusion, wellbeing, and team alignment

Talent & Capability Building

Develop group-wide professional development frameworks and learning pathways

Introduce recruitment tools and onboarding programs to ensure quality hires and smooth induction

Collaborate with leaders to identify succession plans and internal growth opportunities

About You

8+ years of HR/P&C experience with strong strategic and operational exposure

Demonstrated experience building HR structures in a growth environment

Experience in the early childhood education sector or a similar regulated, award-covered sector

Strong knowledge of the Children’s Services Award and employment legislation

Confident user or implementer of Employment Hero (or comparable HRIS)

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative leadership style

Able to work autonomously, prioritise effectively, and influence at all levels

Remuneration
The salary on offer is $140,000 FTE + superannuation, commensurate with experience and sector expertise. Actual remuneration will be pro-rated for part-time arrangements.

Future Scope
This role may evolve to include direct reports or expanded responsibilities aligned with organisational growth. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the future of our people function.

Why us?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the people function from the ground up and define what a great workplace looks like in early childhood education.

You’ll join a diverse, passionate team united by a shared purpose: supporting the development and wellbeing of future generations through high-quality early learning. Together, we’re building a culture that values connection, growth, and integrity.

Drive meaningful change by leading people initiatives that position us as an employer of choice in the ECEC sector

Make your mark in a newly created role with genuine scope to influence culture, compliance, and capability across a growing network

Enjoy true flexibility with a hybrid working model and the autonomy to structure your week in a way that works for you

Be part of something bigger, working alongside a team that genuinely cares about the work we do and the community we serve

Interested in joining us? Keep reading!

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Seek prompts. Then, click on the below link to complete the screening questions.

https://forms.gle/LbL3xZmjUQ8ZYR7H8

Please note, only candidates that follow the above process will be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a confidential discussion.

We can’t wait to hear from you!